Shots fired at Hodge Hill home as police step up patrols

Police have launched an investigation after shots were fired at a house in Hodge Hill on Wednesday evening.

The force said it was called after gunshots were fired at an address in Collingbourne Avenue at around 7.15pm on Wednesday 7 October. The property was damaged, but nobody was injured.

The road was sealed off overnight while forensic officers gathered evidence.

A police spokesperson said: "We're carrying out enquiries, including reviewing CCTV opportunities, to establish who was involved. We know how worrying this will be in the community. We'll have an increased presence in the area over the coming days."

"Do not approach the police cordon"

Councillor Majid Mahmood, who represents Bromford and Hodge Hill, urged residents to keep away while officers worked.

"For residents in the area, please avoid the affected section of Collingbourne Avenue and do not approach the police cordon or any ongoing investigation," he said. "If you see anything concerning, please report it to the police rather than putting yourself at risk."

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting log 4992 of 7/10/26, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Counter-terrorism arrest in Sparkbrook

On Thursday 8 October, detectives from the region's counter-terrorism policing unit arrested a man at an address in Birmingham as part of a pre-planned operation.

The 32-year-old, from Sparkbrook, was arrested on suspicion of displaying or distributing written material with intent to stir up racial hatred, and was taken into custody for questioning.

Police ask anyone who sees or hears something that does not seem right to "trust your instincts" and report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT. In an emergency, call 999.

Armed officers in Edgbaston

Later on Thursday, at around 8pm, marked and unmarked police cars blocked both ends of Rotton Park Road in Edgbaston. Police said officers had carried out a pre-planned arrest of a man in his 20s wanted on suspicion of kidnap, with support from armed officers. The scene was understood to have been cleared within an hour.

Gun crime in context

Shootings remain rare in Birmingham, but each one causes real fear in the street where it happens. Police say information from the public is often what leads to an arrest, and that anyone who knows who has a gun, or where one is hidden, can pass it on anonymously through Crimestoppers without giving their name or being asked to give evidence.

What an increased presence means

After a shooting, police usually put extra officers on patrol in the surrounding streets for several days, both to reassure residents and to gather information. Residents who see an officer are encouraged to speak to them about any concerns, however small, and doorbell and dashcam footage from the area around Collingbourne Avenue between 7pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday could help detectives.